Valve for fire protective systems



June 12, 1945. L. M. LEWl S 2,377,947

VALVE FOR FIRE PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS Filed Feb. 20, 1943 Haj - INVENTOR. Lazar M LEI/W5 Patented June 12, 1945 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE VALVE FOB FIRE-PROTECTIVE SYSTEIVIS 1 ILeroy M. Lewis, Rosemont, Pa.

Application February 20, 1943, Serial No. 476;.515

2 Claims.

within the valve casing, and normally held in Y closed or sealing position by a latch. Cooperating with this clapper is a valve seat ring and a diaphragm having an inner lip which overhangs the inner periphery of this seat ring. This annular diaphragm is ordinarily held in position on the valve seat ring by a screw-retaining membet and when the clapper is closed, it is urged a ainst the clapper by the pressure of fluid from the source of supply and thus establishes the sealing relation.

An arrangement of clapper, valve seat ring, and annular diaphragm such ,as is typified by either of the above identified patents, presents certain disadvantages which are intended to be obviated by this invention. This annular diaphragm encircles the main passage through which all the water going to the dry pipe system must pass. Due to the overhanging of the diaphragm, the crossesectional area of the passage is restricted and the flow of water to the system 'for fire extinguishing purposes is materially imthe ultimate result is that this continuous or repeated flexing shortens the effective life of the diaphragm. 1

Another important disadvantage with the nowknown arrangement is that it is necessary that the diaphragm be firmly clamped in position on With all of these undesirable factors in mind,

this invention has in view as its foremost objective, the provision of a flood or deluge valve of the type above noted, including a novel arrangemerit of clapper, valve seat ring, and sealing diaphragm. More in detail, the invention has in mind the provision of such an assembly in which any overhanging or restriction of the passage by the diaphragm is entirely eliminated.

In attaining this end, the diaphragm is carried by the clapper rather than the valve seat ring,

and provision is made for utilizing the pressure of the water in the main passage to urge the diaphragm into effective sealing position.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision, in a valve of thetype aforesaid, of a clapper valve seat ring and diaphragm assembly in which the clapper and valve seat ring are formed with complemental meeting grooves between which the diaphragm is-positioned. Small ducts or passageways communicate from back of the groove in the clapper to the main passage in the valve, so as to conduct the pressure fluid in the valve passage to the annular groove in-the clapper and thus force the diaphragm into the groove in the seat ring and establish an effective seal.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, suchas arise in carrying out the above noted thoughts in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a flood or deluge valve including a valve seat ring that is A pivotally mounted clapper is in the valve seat ring, and substantially opposite thereto. The clapper is also formed with ducts which communicate between the groove therein and themain valve passage. A flexible diaphragmvis mounted on the clapper in a position in which it is interposed between the clapper and the valve seat ring. Pressureof fluid in the main valve passage is transmitted through the ducts to the annulargro'ove inthe clapper where it forces the diaphragm into the groovein the seat ring to establish an effective seal.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, references may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing. wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a deluge valve including a clapper, seat ring, and diaphragm assembly designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts,

which is exteriorly threaded and screwed into the neck H. The main stem l2 terminates at an abutment shoulder which takesthe form of an external annular flange l3, that abuts the upper end of the threaded neck H. The valve seat ring R also includes an upper ring-like portion l4 having a seat face formed with an annular groove IS.

A clapper is identified by the reference character l6, and is ShOWn as being pivotally mounted at 22 within the casing C. Latch mechanism, referred to in its entirety by the reference character L, is shown as mounted within the casing C and cooperates with the clapper [6 to maintain the latter in closed or sealing position.

The clapper l6 has an annular ring-like flat face I! that is arranged substantially opposite and slightly spaced from the valve seat face of the ring R, when the clapper is in closed position.

The face I! is formed with an annular groove I8 which is complemental to and substantially opposite the groove l5. Ducts shown at [9 establish communication between the groove l8 and the passage II].

An annular diaphragm of ring-like formation is shown at 20 as mounted on the face I! of the clapper I6 by a clamping or retaining ring 2|. This diaphragm 20 may be made of rubber or any suitable rubber composition having required properties of flexibility, etc. It will be noted that the inner periphery of the diaphragm 20 substantially aligns with the inner periphery of the face I! and the bore through the valve seat ring R. Thus, there is no overhang on the part of the diaphragm.

While the operation of the above described clapper, valve seat ring, and diaphragm assembly is believed to be obvious, it may be briefly outlined by noting that, with the clapper IS in the" closed position illustrated, fluid under pressure passes from the main passage I through the ducts l9 to the annular groove I8 whence it engages the diaphragm 20 and forces a portion of the latter into the annular groove I5. Thus an effective seal is established.

When the clapper is opened, due to release of the latch L by a mechanism such as that shown in either of the above identified patents,

the diaphragm is removed completely from the passage 10, and cannot possibly be deleteriously affected by the rush of water through the passage III to the dry pipe system. It is further noted that there is no flexing of the diaphragm as an incident to operation of the valve, nor is there anything in the manner in which the diaphragm is mounted which would tend to distort, rupture, or weaken the same.

It is evident that the force of the clapper l6, which is rendered effective by the latch L, is effective to urge the diaphragm 20 against the face of the valve seat ring R. The force of pressure fluid in the passage I0 is also rendered effective, through the medium of the ducts I9 and groove I8, to urge the diaphragm 20 in the same direction. Thus, there is no condition where one portion of the diaphragm is urged in one direction by the clapper and in the opposite direction by the pressure fluid, as is the case in either of the above identified patents. The forces of the clapper and pressure fluid are localized and concentrated in the same area and are effective in the same direction.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice, within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a deluge valve of the character described, a valve casing having an inlet and an outlet, an assembly comprising a valve seat ring mounted in said inlet and having a valve seat face formed with an annular groove; a pivotally mounted clapper having a face arranged substantially parallel to said valve seat face when the clapper is in closed position, said clapper face being formed with an annular groove that is complemental to and opposite to said groove in said valve seat ring; the clapper also being formed with ducts communicating between said groove in the clapper face and said inlet; and a sealing diaphragm carried by said clapper on said clapper face and having a portion positioned between said grooves whereby fluid under pressure from said inlet is rendered effective through said ducts and clapper groove to force said flexible diaphragm into said groove in the valve seat ring.

2. In a deluge valve including a valve casing having an inlet and an outlet, an assembly comprising a valve seat ring in said inlet and having a valve seat face formed with an annular groove; a clapper having a face formed with an annular groove; a sealing diaphragm interposed between said clapper and said valve seat face; and pressure fluid means communicating between said inlet and said groove in the clapper for forcing said diaphragm into said groove in said seat ring, said pressure fluid means including ducts communicating between the other of said grooves and said valve passage.

LEROY M. LEWIS. 

